Alaska sees spike in gonorrheaMild symptoms may result in
fewer patients
seeking treatment and spreading infection

March 10, 2010
Wednesday

Anchorage, AK - A large increase in reported gonorrhea cases
in Alaska in 2009 has prompted state health officials to issue
a Bulletin that describes the epidemic and provides disease control
recommendations for health-care providers and other health partners.

According to the Bulletin published
Tuesday by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services
Section of Epidemiology, 997 cases of genital Neisseria gonorrhoeae
infection were reported in Alaska in 2009, representing a 69
percent increase in the gonorrhea infection rate compared to
2008.

"This is the biggest single-year
increase in gonorrhea cases in Alaska since the 1970s,"
said Susan Jones, manager of the section's HIV/STD program. "The
increase occurred in both sexes, among all races, in all age
groups, and in all regions except the Interior." The Alaska
Native population is being disproportionately affected by this
outbreak; 68 percent of all reported cases were among Alaska
Native people.

"It's important to note
that the symptoms of gonorrhea can be mild for some patients,
so many people may not even know they have gonorrhea - a leading
cause of infertility in women" said Dr. Joe McLaughlin,
Alaska State Epidemiologist. "Therefore, providers should
screen sexually active women younger than 25 years of age, those
with multiple or new sex partners, those who have had gonorrhea
or chlamydia infection in the past 12 months, and those who have
been told they were exposed to gonorrhea." All people who
know they are infected are being encouraged to notify their providers
and their sexual partners so that all partners can be tested
and treated.

To find a place in your community
to get tested, call the local public health nursing center, family
planning or Planned Parenthood Center, the Alaska Native Regional
Health Corporation in your area, or go to the web site at https://www.iknowmine.org.